Mezcal tastes different when paired with chocolate. This small-group tasting in Tulum is built around five distinct mezcals and their matching Mexican chocolates, taught by your host, Shamira. You also start with a fresh mezcal cocktail that changes with the seasons, so the first sip feels like a little plot twist.

I love how much this feels like a real education, not just sampling. The host’s attention stays personal in a group capped at 10, and she walks you through why the agave type matters. I also love the pairings, especially how citrus and even the more adventurous snacks keep the flavors from blending into one big blur.

One consideration: this takes place in a residential area of Tulum town (not a big hotel lobby), so plan to get there easily with a short cab ride if you’re staying outside La Veleta. Also, if you’re not into spicy or experimental bites, the menu includes spicy peanuts and grasshopper snacks.

Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

• Five mezcals, each from different agave types: You’ll taste the differences instead of just hearing about them.
• Mezcal cocktail that changes by season: Expect a welcome drink that’s slightly unique each visit.
• Chocolate pairing with international award recognition: The sweets are a serious part of the tasting, not an afterthought.
• Traditional snacks included with every pour: Fruits, citrus, and crunchy bites help you reset your palate.
• Small-group format (max 10): Easier Q&A and more focused guidance from Shamira.
• Two named mezcal styles: Espadín and Silvestre: You’ll get at least a couple of the big conversation starters.

Why Mezcal + Chocolate Makes Sense in Tulum

Mezcal and chocolate both live on the same flavor math: smoke, bitterness, sweetness, and aroma. When you taste them together, the smokier notes in mezcal stop being harsh and start feeling intentional. The chocolate, in turn, picks up the agave’s complexity instead of masking it.

This tasting also frames mezcal the right way. You learn that it’s not one flavor. It’s a spectrum based on agave type and artisanal production. That’s why the pairing is the point, not the proof that you can swallow five drinks in 120 minutes.

If you’re the type who usually likes your food explanations light and your tastings detailed, this hits a sweet spot. You get the science-ish background (production and history) with a very practical payoff: what to taste next, and why.

Where You Meet (La Veleta, Not a Mega Venue)

You’ll meet at ZONA NOVEC. 9 Sur entre CALLE 6 Sur y 4 Sur, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not stuck planning an extra return.

A big thing here is vibe. The setting is described as an inviting, secure patio area attached to the host’s home in Tulum town. That matters because you’re not racing from counter to counter. You’re slowing down enough to notice details like aroma changes between pours.

Practical tip: if you’re new to getting around Tulum, treat this like a local appointment. Confirm the meeting spot, then plan on a cab if your hotel is farther out. It’s the easiest way to avoid the classic I’m in the right area but the street numbers don’t match feeling.

The Welcome Mezcal Cocktail That Sets the Tone

Before the lineup of tastings, you get a mezcal cocktail. The key detail is that it changes with the seasons. That means you’re not drinking the same exact thing on every date, and it keeps the experience from feeling copy-paste.

This first drink is useful in a different way, too. It acts like a warm-up. You taste mezcal in a mixed format first, then you get to experience the more focused flavors later when you move through the mezcals in the set.

I like doing a cocktail first when I’m learning a spirit. It makes the aromas less intimidating, then you can start noticing the sharper differences between agave types as the tasting progresses.

The Five-Mezcal Flight and How You’ll Taste Smarter

The core of the experience is sampling five different mezcals, each paired in a traditional way with fruits, snacks, and Mexican Chocolates. You’ll also get the background on the history and legends of mezcal, plus how it’s made.

At least two mezcal styles are specifically named in the tasting menu: Mezcal Espadín and Mezcal Silvestre. Even if you’re new to mezcal, these names give you anchors for the kinds of flavor profiles you’ll run into.

Here’s what I think makes the flight valuable: you taste with a guided purpose. You’re not just taking sips and hoping one of them feels special. The host sets up what to look for—aroma, smoke character, and how the pairing reacts with each pour.

Small-group format helps here. In a group of 10 or fewer, you can ask questions without feeling rushed. The vibe reported is that Shamira adjusts her explanations to what the group cares about, so you’re not stuck with a single script.

One more important note: the tasting emphasizes that mezcal is produced artisanally across Mexico and follows strict production standards tied to denomination of origin. That context helps you understand what you’re tasting and why it matters.

Snacks and Citrus: The Palette Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed

Between pours, you’ll have a citrus plate and traditional snacks. The menu includes spicy peanuts, cacao, and grasshopper snacks. That combo might sound like a dare, but it actually works as palate management.

Citrus helps clean up the smoke and bitterness. It also brings out fruit-and-floral notes you might miss if you’re only focusing on the spirit. Crunchy snacks do the same thing, but with texture. When your mouth has something to chew, your taste perception gets sharper.

About the grasshoppers: yes, they’re part of the tasting. If you’re curious, take it as part of the culture lesson. If you’re cautious, you can still enjoy the rest of the flight—the pairing logic is there regardless.

Also note the practical reality: if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, one reviewer shared that the host provided organic coffee and fresh juices. The takeaway is that the host seems to try to include non-drinkers with alternatives, even while keeping the mezcal experience central.

The Fine Chocolate Pairing: Not Just Dessert

You get artisanal chocolates and five different fine Mexican chocolates paired across the tasting. And this is one place where the experience sounds genuinely intentional. The chocolates are described as internationally acclaimed and award-winning.

Why this matters: when chocolate is good, it can make the mezcal feel smoother and more layered. When it’s not, you end up with a sweet fog that hides the agave. Here, you’re tasting both sides of the match: the chocolate’s flavor and how it shifts your perception of each mezcal pour.

I also like that the menu doesn’t treat chocolate as one big ending. It’s paired in sequence with the mezcals, so you learn the pattern instead of just tasting a highlight at the end.

If you’re a chocoholic, this is the part that might surprise you most. I’d expect mezcal to steal the show. In this experience, the pairing flips that expectation: chocolate becomes part of the story.

What You Learn Beyond Tasting: Agave Types and Real Production

This is where the tasting becomes more than a food tour. You’ll hear about the history and legends of mezcal and its production process. The big theme is that mezcal isn’t one thing—it’s shaped by agave type and how it’s made.

You’ll also learn about artisanal production standards and the denomination of origin idea. That helps you understand the difference between mezcal that’s meant to be distinctive and mezcal that’s made to taste generic.

From the experience format, you should come away with better instincts for shopping. You’ll know what questions to ask, and more importantly, you’ll understand why certain bottles taste the way they do.

One reviewer even mentioned getting a clearer sense of authenticity percentages. That’s not a detail you should treat as a guaranteed takeaway, but it matches the broader point: you’ll leave with enough background to buy smarter instead of guessing.

Timing, Pace, and What You’re Really Getting for $89.61

The price is $89.61 per person for about 2 hours. That’s not a casual grab-a-drink deal. You’re paying for a guided tasting experience: five mezcals, multiple snack elements, and five chocolates, taught in English by Shamira in a group capped at 10.

You also get a welcome mezcal cocktail that changes by season. So you’re not just doing a straight flight. You’re doing a structured sensory lesson with pairing rhythm.

Value-wise, I think the strongest part is the combination:

• multiple mezcals (not just one or two),
• multiple chocolates,
• guided pairing explanations,
• and small-group attention.

If you’ve done other tastings where you get a quick pour and then wait around, this is designed to keep you moving through a tasting flow.

If you’re thinking about cost relative to what you’d pay for a few good bottles and tastings on your own, you’re essentially getting a classroom meal of flavors for a single price.

Who This Tasting Is Best For (And Who Might Skip)

This experience is best for you if you:

• want a fun food-and-drink activity that also teaches you something real,
• like tasting structured pairings rather than random sips,
• and enjoy a small-group setting where you can ask questions.

It’s also a good match if you’re new to mezcal. The pacing is designed for learning, and multiple people in the feedback emphasized how much they learned compared to other tasting experiences.

You might skip this if:

• you dislike the idea of trying unfamiliar snacks like grasshopper,
• you want a high-energy party vibe (this is more patio lesson than club),
• or you strongly prefer big public venues over residential settings.

Tips to Get the Most From Your 2 Hours

Here are a few practical ways to make this tasting click:

• Plan to arrive on time at the ZONA NOVEC meeting point, since the activity ends back there.
• Go in curious, not locked into what you already like. Citrus and chocolate pairings can change your mind fast.
• If you’re a slower eater, pace yourself with the snack bites between pours. Texture helps you taste better.
• If you’re traveling with a non-drinker, ask ahead how alternatives are handled. Based on one account, the host may offer coffee or fresh juices.

Finally: take notes if you care about buying mezcal later. You’ll taste Espadín and Silvestre, plus other agave-based mezcals, and your preferences will evolve once you’ve compared them back-to-back.

Should You Book This Mezcal and Chocolate Tasting in Tulum?

If you want one of the better “taste and learn” activities in Tulum, I’d book it. The pairing focus is the real draw: five mezcal pours connected to five chocolate pairings, with snack elements that keep your palate awake. The host, Shamira, is repeatedly described as warm, informative, and easy to talk to in a small group.

It’s also a good value for $89.61 when you compare what you get in one sitting: cocktail welcome, multiple mezcals, traditional snacks, and award-winning fine chocolate.

Just go in prepared for a residential patio setting in La Veleta and for at least a couple of adventurous bites. If that sounds fun instead of scary, this tasting should hit the sweet spot for your Tulum trip.

FAQ

How long is the Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting Experience?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How much does it cost per person?

The price is $89.61 per person.

How many mezcals and chocolates will I try?

You’ll sample five different mezcals and five different fine Mexican chocolates.

What’s included in the tasting menu?

You start with a mezcal cocktail, you’ll have citrus and traditional snacks (including spicy peanuts and grasshopper snacks), and you’ll finish with artisanal chocolates.

What mezcals are listed on the menu?

The menu specifically lists Mezcal Espadín and Mezcal Silvestre, along with additional mezcals in the five-pour tasting.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Where is the meeting point and where does it end?

You meet at ZONA NOVEC. 9 Sur entre CALLE 6 Sur y 4 Sur, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is there a cancellation option if plans change?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.